Five Minute Friday: Life

Life is but for a moment. Treasure each moment. I learned at an early age to "live life to the fullest" to laugh, cry, and enjoy every precious moment. I strive to live every moment of my life with laughter, smiles, and thankfulness. I am thankful for the life that God has given me.

 I want to live a life for others....serving and doing. I want to live a life that others look at me and say, "that young lady loves Jesus." I want to live a life full of hope and trust for my Savior. To do this I need to stay in HIS Word. I need to study His Word. I need to stay faithful to God. 

I think of this famous quote by C.T.Studd.

"Only one life,'twill soon be past,. Only what's done for Christ will last." -C.T. Studd

I want my life to be one that lives for Christ. I want to have a shining testimony for Him.

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Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of the year (except for it being cold). I love putting my tree up, puttings the white twinkle lights on my tree, the white tulle, and ornaments from my childhood. I carefully put my manger scene under the tree. I decorate the bookcase with colorful light garland and place my snowglobes on my coffee table. I even place a white Christmas tree in my bedroom that has pink and silver ornaments on it. I love listening to Christmas music (yes I start before Thanksgiving). I enjoy (tolerate) shopping for family and friends. I enjoy wrapping the presents and seeing the joy on the person opening the gift.

Christmas also seems like it is a very busy time of the year. Time for shopping, decorating, Christmas plays, parties, and church activities.

BUT, may we always remember the true meaning of Christmas

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

Christmas is when we remember why we celebrate. A time to remember that many years ago when Adam and Eve were in the garden a promise was made. A promise that God would send a Savior to save people from their sins. We read this prophecy all throughout scripture. People searched and wondered when the promise would be fulfilled. Years later an angel came to an innocent teenager, someone who was humble telling her that she was the chosen one to carry the Saviour. God had kept His promise. Years later Jesus would die. He would be betrayed. But He did this all for us. He did this because He loves us. 

We can remember:

1. Christmas as a PROMISE fulfilled. God always keeps His promises. 
2.  Christmas is about WAITING. God had perfect timing and plan. Just like God has His own timing for us in our own lives.
3. Christmas is about LOVE. God sent His Son down to earth because He loves us. Christ demonstrated His love
4. Christmas is about OBEDIENCE. Joseph obeyed God and stayed with Mary. 
5. Christmas is about TRUST. Mary trusted that this was God's perfect plan. 

May we always remember the true meaning of Christmas. May we always remember that Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON. 

Have a Merry Christmas!

God's Ways Are Always Best

The last six months Lee and I have been planning, counting down, and excited about our upcoming wedding. We were engaged this past June. Life has taken a hard, but positive turn for us. We are still planning on getting married, but we have to move our date a whole year than we originally planned. I have to admit, this is hard for us. We both wept over the phone. What we wanted seemed so within our grasp, but not the right timing. I have spent all day in bed today sulking, praying, and doctoring a bad headache. I took a deep breath and the passage from the Bible in Isaiah 55:9 came to mind. This passage says.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts your thoughts."

This passage has so much truth in it. We can go along life and make plans. Plans for a wedding, plans for marriage, plans for a job, plans for a family. God can ultimately change and alter these plans. God has changed Lee and my plans for the beginning of our future. I admit it is not easy, but I look and meditate on this passage and am reminded that God's ways are always best--not always easy, but always best. Lee and I are excited about our future and the way God is going to work. He is already working, I [we] just have to wait on him. The waiting is not always easy, nor painless, but at the end worth it all.

I can't wait for my forever with Lee. Our forever is already beginning. So remember
 God's ways are always best.

I hope you were encouraged by this blog. I am hoping to write more blog posts like these--inspirational and encouraging. God bless you.

-Rebecca

Remembering What Is True

This verse has been on my heart this evening. I admit I struggle trusting God. I struggle to have the faith I need. I look at and listen to the opinions of people, and let them "get in my head." This makes me question God. This makes question His promises. This even makes me even question God's Will for my life. Tonight Lee and I sat down to remember things that are true about God. We sat down and reflected that it was God that brought us together. We reflected that God is writing our story, and isn't finished with it. We wanted to share what we remembered about God. If you have anything to add please feel free to share in the comments. Share how God has been good to you. Share something that is true about God.

1. God always directs our paths.
2. God is love. Love is tough. God allows us to go through hard times because He loves us.
3. God always keeps His Promises. He gave us the rainbow in the sky to remind us how faithful He is.
4. God always has a reason behind what He does.
5. God will make a way when there seems to be no way, He works is ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me.
6. God always has our best interest at heart. He always knows what is best for is. (Heb. 12:10)
7. God makes no mistakes.
8. God is all-powerful
9. God is always with us.
10. God is my counselor.
11. God always provides my needs. He is concerned with my daily needs.
12. God is writing the most amazing story for our lives.
13. God is kind.
14. God brings peace.
15. God uses the most unlikely people to do His will. He can use anyone as long as they are willing.

I hope you were encouraged by this post. My desire for this blog is not only to share the adventures of life on the road, but about God and His love for you and for me.

Raleigh, NC

So since this a travel and adventure blog I thought I would start with the first adventure that Lee and I went on together. This was definitely an adventure for both of us, and it started at the airport. Lee flew into the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This was the first time we saw each other in 10 years! I have to admit I was very nervous. On the way to the terminal, I said my parking spot over and over again in my head (pro-tip use google maps or another map app program to pin where your car is....or do it the old fashioned way and write it down). During the excitement of seeing Lee I forgot where I had parked my car. We shared our first kiss and held hands for the first time. My shoes also broke so I had to walk through the parking deck barefoot. Thankfully I had an extra pair of shoes in the car.

There is so much to see and do in Raleigh. Lee and I only had a day to spend in this interesting city. I will share with you where we went and what we were able to see. Since we only had a few hours we couldn't see everything. Thanks to Pinterest we found many family-friendly ideas, which were also free or inexpensive. I want to share these hidden gems with you as well.

After breakfast at Denny's (this was our first official meal together) we headed towards the North Carolina Museum of Art (https://ncartmuseum.org/) This museum is free of charge, but donations are encouraged. This museum holds classic and contemporary art and even has some interesting outdoor exhibits. As we walked inside it was a wide opened space. One side held the classic artwork, while the other side held contemporary art. It was interesting to see the difference in artwork throughout the years. My favorite part was the classic religious artwork. Lee enjoyed the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian pottery. The inside part was small, but there was, even more, to see outside.

We meandered along a pathway through the trees. We saw a fascinating whirlygig that spun and turned in the wind. This was made out of some kind of recyclable material. https://ncartmuseum.org/blog/view/return_of_the_whirligig

As we walked along the path we observed a lot of natural things. Along the trail, there were park benches to sit and rest along the way. You would see many people cycling or walking their dogs. We enjoyed looking at the plants and trees along the way.

The most interesting part of the outdoor exhibits was the Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky. This was a hut-like building that was very dark on the inside. There was a hole cut in the roof. When you closed the door the light shone threw the hole casting shadows of the surrounding trees all over the walls and floor of the chamber. This was very fascinating, and probably my favorite thing at the Museum.

After the museum, we ventured to The Prairie Ridge Eco-Station. It was an outshoot of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. There were a nature trail and a small garden with different types of grass and plants. We saw some beautiful butterflies. They had swallowtail houses set up, as well as a bird-watching trail. https://naturalsciences.org/prairie-ridge

Before we headed back to my house we drove to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This was by far my favorite part of our day trip. We walked along the sidewalk observing the many different types of plants. We even found an adorable duck pond, with a park bench nestled under some trees. My favorite thing about the gardens was the fact it was a quiet place. You can hear the trees rustle, the ducks quack, and even a turtle splashing. There were several bridges. There was also a gazebo where Lee and I enjoyed some fresh fruit popsicle.

There is so much to see and do in North Carolina's State Capitol. Below are some ideas and links.

My Own Little Hallmark Story

We all know how Hallmark films go. Boy meets girl or girl meets boy. Sometimes these meetings are between two people who once knew each other, sometimes they were once in a relationship. They fall in love. Something happens and they part ways. Then they realize how much they really loved each other. At the end of the movie, they come back together and is usually ends with a kiss or a wedding scene. We also cannot forget the dog or the cat.

I have my own little hallmark story. This involves a handsome cowboy and a shy (and somewhat quiet) girl. I was in my third year of University. At my school, we were assigned seats in Chapel. You heard all throughout freshman year "you never know you might meet 'the one' in Chapel." I mostly laughed at this statement and rolled my eyes. The day that I received my chapel slip I wondered who I would be sitting next to and if I would like the. It was the first day of new seats. I arrived early. I looked to my right and there was a tall handsome guy sitting a few seats down from me. He smiled and waved. This went on for several weeks. Smile and wave....smile and wave. I told my best friend and my roommates all about this handsome guy. They suggested I talk to him. I admit at first I refused to. A few days later I walked up to this handsome guy and introduced myself.

Lee and I became instant friends. Through the weeks our friendship grew. I found myself wanting to spend more and more time with him. I would go to the library just to see if he walked in so we can talk. We ate meals together. We met for breakfast on occasion. We had a special connection. He eventually asked me on our "first date" to an Artist Series play. My dad took our first picture together.

Summer rolled around and we spent hours reading together, listening to music, and talking. We hung out as much as we could. In December 2006, I graduated from school and left. Lee and I talked a little after I left. In 2007, I moved to FL. During my time there he came to visit. He wanted to ask me to be his girlfriend. At the time it wasn't the "right time." The year my sister graduated with her master's degree was the same year Lee graduated. It was also the last time Lee and I talked. I felt it was time to say goodbye to him one last time...I was sad. I felt like a part of me was going away. Yet again, it wasn't the right time for us.

10 years later

A co-worker and I were talking about guys we liked in our past. I mentioned Lee. She encouraged me to message him. It took a few days, and I did. He replied within a few days. Our conversations were mostly through messenger, to begin with, then conversations on the phone, and then hours of video chatting. I would stay up late just to talk to him because of the three hour time difference. Months past and I started to have feelings for Lee. But being taught not to share feelings first, and afraid the feelings weren't mutual I was afraid to say anything. He dropped hints here and there, but I just wasn't sure. Then finally September 2nd, we finally admitted how we felt. We became a long-distance couple. In June 2019, he flew out to where I live. We spend an entire week together exploring the NC mountains, my town and really connecting.

Then on June 7, he pulled out a little black box. He said "this is for you, open it! I opened it and inside was a beautiful engagement ring. He got down on one knee and proposed. Of course, I said yes.  We saw how God orchestrated our life. We had a lot of ups and downs for the last 10 years. But, God's hand was in it all. God brought two people who were head over heels for each other back together at a time when they were ready. We have seen God's hand in our relationship. We are looking forward to what God has for us, and for our future. 

So to end this blog. It will be turning into a blog to tell of our adventures together as a couple. We are looking forward to life and forever. 

Life Update & FMF: Surrender

UPDATE ON MY LIFE:
At the beginning of the year, I decided to spend more time writing, enjoying my now year-old YouTube Channel, and the best decision to spend more time studying and reading God's Word. It has been a while since I have even written on my blog. A lot has happened over the past few years. A lot of things were out of my control but was a beautiful reminder that no matter what God is always and always will be in control. I am still teaching, some days still loving and somedays still dreaming of being a preacher's  or missionary wife. I am living at home with my parents (yes, at 34 years of age), and loving being an auntie. My dad had his arm amputated due to cancer--I will never forget the peace of God during that time. He is still having some health issues, but God is always good. The most exciting thing is that I decided to start a YouTube channel. Last year, it focused a lot on bath bombs, food, coffee, and subscription boxes. After a few months of hiatus, and praying, and encouragement from a dear friend I have revamped my channel to focus more on encouraging people, and sharing what the Lord is doing in my life through books I read and His Word. Let's see...Oh, I went to Canada for a week to visit my best friend last July! So as you see life has kept me on my toes, through the ups and downs, the discouragement and the encouragement. Through it, all God has been good. So now its time to get back into writing....slowly but surely.

LINK TO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Rebecca's Reflections Channel

FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY BEGINS HERE:

Surrender.....something I have always struggled with. There are many times I want to hold bits and pieces of my life back because I want to have full control. But, when I have control of my life it doesn't always work out. I need to let God have the ultimate control of my life.

His Word says in Romans 12:1 to present yourselves to God in a way that pleases God.
Gal 2:20 says to have a separation from your old life, and a new life that only God can give. When I turn from my sin and receive Christ He lives in me. I also need to live by faith, because God gave himself for me.
John 15:1-7 tells us to ABIDE in Christ.

So from these passages, I write in my journal---
"Without Christ, I cannot do anything---I need to let Christ take my life and use me for His glory. Have a life sold out to God, and give Him total control rather than me taking control. I need to let God use me for His purpose. I need to give Him everything....not just the little things....not just the big things...but everything (this is a lesson I am constantly learning). Surrender yourself to God and let Him do the rest. "